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Debmalya Ray Choudhuri

Debmalya Ray Choudhuri is a writer, freelance photographer and documentary filmmaker from India. He sees the visual medium as a reflection of his soul and portrays the world according to his own interpretation. He has published his work in magazines in India and also international publications on The Guardian, The BBC, Nat Geo, Invisible Photographer Asia and gallery exhibits across the country and abroad. He also received several awards in the course of his ongoing journey. He believes that true happiness comes with an honest intent.He has tried to maintain that through his work, which is often shaped by the experiences that he has had: his images are often dark and mysterious and then at times, soaked in reverie. He was also selected for the prestigious mentorship program of Invisible Photographer Asia and now wants to carry on and explore his vision further on his long-term projects, work apart from the commissioned work.

Postcards from Rishikesh

“Rishikesh is a place where people from all over the world come to look for answers and get closer to their Self.
I believe that while the vibes of a place do affect your mind in ways, at the end it is up to you to remain true to your intent irrespective of any place or environment. That is what truly means an ‘awakening’ from the inside. We as humans have always tried to see a profit in everything and make a trend of almost every element that we get hold of. While talking to one of my local friends here, I came to know how something as ancient and gifted as yoga has also been a business only to lure people looking for ‘spiritual awakening’. Why I say this is because your Self is your pure consciousness, which is timeless and beyond the control of trends and self-proclaimed yogis and gurus. To truly follow a path and become immersed in it is a journey that takes a long time, be it photography or Yoga. Trends and people come and go. Your consciousness remains.”

The Hindu Deity Lord Shiva is revered by not just Hindus alone, but people from different cultures and faiths. Faith is a personal choice of every being, that gives him an inner peace, helps him to embrace life by letting go of the obstacles of the mind. This is what Shiva stands for, more than a statue or form, it stands for an idea, an idea of oneness and being that is reflected from the Soul of every human being. Shiva is said to represent the art of meditation in its absolute form. Rishikesh is the world capital of Yoga, but before commercialising trends, one must recognise that a Yogi is far removed from the world of consumerism. His world is Nature and he follows the path of Truth-The Path of Lord Shiva.

Shiva stands for the cycle of Life and Death and is also represented as the giver of immortality. Nature is immortal and this is the Dance of Shiva.